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What does it mean to be a Truly Authentic, ‘Naked’ Leader?
Time to Read: About the time to take off your clothes (fold up, and put neatly away).What does it mean to be a Truly Authentic, ‘Naked’ Leader?
I have always believed, written and said that naked leader is not about me.
It is all about you.
With ‘authentic’ being so in vogue, what does it mean to be ‘truly authentic’ – a ‘naked’ leader?
To me, it means making a very fast, simple, and difficult choice – to be the very best that you already are – unlocking the strengths, ideas and passions that you already have – as a leader, as a team and as an organisation.
And help others to do the same.
It means stripping away the negativity, excuses and fear to realise that your future success comes from within, not without.
When you do that, all you have left is you – and that is all you ever need to be. Be successful, by being yourself, or yourselves, as a team or organisation.
If that isn’t the very definition of truly authentic, I don’t know what is.
Naked Leader has developed a one pager on what it means to be a ‘Naked’ Leader – have a look, also we are leading the way for ‘naked’ leaders to stand up for business as a force for good. Please share your thoughts and most importantly share with us, in the comments below, who you think is a truly authentic, ‘naked’ leader – in all walks of life.
With my love and best wishes
David
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I think that’s true, we all have the capability of being a truly authentic leader, although there is only one naked Leader, David.
Hi Robert – you are very kind. You, though, and everyone can choose to be a Naked Leader. Indeed, in the original book I say that Naked Leader “is not about me, it is all about you”. David
Businesses are all a force for good and the economy is on the way back as proof of that, not just in public sector, but in private sector work too, the entrepreneurial spirit helping Britain be a force again.
I agree Tony that the vast majority of organisations and their leaders are a force for good. Sadly the reputation of a few companies e.g. co-op are tarnished by the behaviour of a few leaders. Thank you David
Nelsen Mandela was a Naked leader, truly inspirational.
Tony Pulis too, for a remrakable achievement in keeping Palace up.
David Steel was a super leader of the Liberal Party and ruled with a rod of iron and yet was perceptive enough to realise he had to listen to others to get on.
Yes, spot on Rakesh and there are so many naked leaders we will never hear about, as well. David
True leaders? How about Winston Churchill, a wonderful example to all.
Also, Pep Guardiola, who was amazing at Barcelona and now is doing okay at Bayern Munich.
The interesting thing about leadership in football is that football managers, are only as good as their players. We can all be good leaders as managers with good players in the team.
For instance, Garry Hill was a better manager at Woking FC with loan strikers in the team from higher leagues, their results improved with a player from Ipswich in particular, as any other team’s would have done when afforded that luxury.
Roberto Martinez is also a better manager for having someone else’s players such as Chelsea’s Larckukoo. Sir Alex Ferguson had good players and new when to get out. Clever.
A manager can be a good manager if a striker’s shot goes a foot inside the post rather than outside. That moment could mean the difference between relegation and not, for instance. That doesn’t seem to equate to structured management.
Great stuff Michael – Garry Hill is of course in a whole new definition of greatness (I won’t say nakedness!). David
Greatness? That’s interesting. Garry Hill? Not won much.
So does that mean that success is only down to players?
So chairmen and managers are at the mercy of their players when it is determined how well they have done?
Does a manager who gets relegated have reason to take blame, does a chairman or board for that matter? It is not an easy debate.
Easy answer Christian if the team does well that’s down to the team and the manager and the fans. If the team is relegated that is the chairman and the board’s fault. Simple! Love your post thanks for connecting David
Authentic, real, true, naked, use the adjective you like, but all everything is about to be oneself.
YES!!! David
Striiping away everything but the essential tools to be who you are meant to be. You!
Interesting responses. For me, Tony Blair was a great leader, as was Margaret Thatcher.
They ruled with power and authority. I always thing that John Smith would have been the same had he lived, although David Steel? Not if his Spitting Image puppet was anything to go by.
Who is a naked leader is entirely people’s choices. Thanks Thomas. David
Bobby Moore, he was the one.
And Alan Hansen.
Imran Khan was an eexcellent leader of English cricket, he really went the extra mile to produce the goods.
Also Ian Botham in a cricketing sense.
In business/sport, Ron Dennis rules with an iron thumb and deserves to get credit for coming back to McLaren to try and lift spirits.